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Stories From PEP

Rukhsana was so proud of herself.6 years ago she began attending a PEP Primary School in her village as the first female in her entire family to become literate.She says she loved going to school because everyday she learned new things and everyday her mind grew more.However, when Rukhsana finished 5th grade, her parents decided that she didn’t need anymore schooling. Instead, they decided that Rukhsana was ready to get married.A man was chosen, the engagement settled, and when Rukhsana should have been learning Pre-Algebra and Biology, she was becoming a wife to a man much older than she. Because she did pass elementary school, her parents were able to find her an educated husband, which statistically means her family will be better off health wise and at less risk for severe poverty.Though sometimes after girls get married at such a young age they are allowed to continue going to school, in Rukhsana’s community no female is allowed to leave the village.Not for buying food, not for visiting relatives, not for going to the doctor when they are sick, not for going to school. While the PEP school is in her village, the secondary school she needs to go to is about 1 km away. This short distance is too far for her family to allow her to go, even with a male family member.So Rukhsana cleans the house and sits with her mother in law when she could be writing essays and reading poetry. Our Women’s Empowerment Coordinator and teacher talked with her family recently about how important it is for her to continue schooling.Yet, they remain unconvinced.More conversations, more motivation, more prayers are needed.Join us in investing in communities like Rukhsana’s.Partner with us to speak out against child marriages and speak up for schools.